Digital purchases may qualify you for settlement

$310 million price-fixing deal covers many devices sold between 1998 and 2002

For those of you who bought computers, printers, video game consoles, MP3 players, personal digital devices, DVD players or digital recorders between 1998 and 2002, the Oregon Department of Justice has a deal for you.

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By Greg Stiles

DailyTidings.com

By Greg Stiles

Posted Jul. 21, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Greg Stiles
Posted Jul. 21, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

For those of you who bought computers, printers, video game consoles, MP3 players, personal digital devices, DVD players or digital recorders between 1998 and 2002, the Oregon Department of Justice has a deal for you.

Even if those electronics were long ago recycled, sold at garage sales, are collecting dust or were otherwise discarded, Oregon businesses and individuals are entitled to their share in a $310 million price-fixing settlement with manufacturers of dynamic random access memory computer chips.

Perhaps the best part is that no receipts are necessary, although documentation may be needed for large claims. Claimants may simply fill out a form indicating how many of each type of device they purchased and send the form in for their refund.

Payments are expected to be about $10 per device, with purchasers of larger devices receiving more money.

DOJ spokeswoman Kristina Edmunson said any Oregonian who purchased an electronic device between 1998-2002 is likely eligible for money back. The claims must be filed by Friday, Aug. 1.

In October 2005, Samsung Electronics Co., the world's largest maker of computer memory chips, agreed to plead guilty and pay a $300 million fine for participating in a global conspiracy to fix prices.

At a time, when the global market for such chips was nearing $8 billion, it was the second-largest criminal antitrust fine ever levied.

The federal government spent more than three years investigating Samsung of Korea, along with competitors Hynix Semiconductor of Korea and Infineon Technologies of Germany, before filing charges alleging the firms were conspiring to fix prices of DRAM chips. Hynix and Infineon also pleaded guilty.

Edmunson said Oregon began its investigation in 2005, joining a multistate effort a year later. A settlement was reached in March and received court approval following a June 25 hearing. The defendants deny any wrongdoing.

"This is the last piece of the settlement puzzle," Edmunson said. "Most folks have upgraded from their DVD player they had at the time. You don't have to still own the equipment, as long as you purchased it."

Refunds will be issued after final court approval of the settlements and the resolution of any appeals. The amount of each refund will depend on the type and quantity of electronic devices the claimant purchased, and the total number of claims made. Payments will not exceed the difference between the purchase price and the expected price in the absence of the alleged price fixing.

To find the forms for filing a claim, visit www.DRAMclaims.com or call 1-800-589-1425.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or business@mailtribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregMTBusiness, friend him on Facebook and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge.